Rhea Ripley expresses ‘disappointment’ over Survivor Series booking
To say that many fans are upset at the current booking of women across the WWE roster would be an understatement. However, former multiple-time champion, Rhea Ripley made her feelings clear about the booking of Survivor Series and how she felt it slighted her teammate, Nikki A.S.H.
“To not have her on the team is a little bit disrespectful,” Ripley said while speaking to Sportskeeda Wrestling in a video released on November 21. “I think I am more disappointed than Nikki is because she’s such a positive person. Yes, I know she’s upset. But I am very upset for her because I know that she’s worked so incredibly hard for everything that she’s accomplished.”
The 2021 edition of Survivor Series saw Team Raw defeat Team SmackDown in the five-on-five women’s match. Team Raw featured Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan, Carmella, Zelina Vega, and Ripley. When the team was named, it immediately stood out that Ripley was on the squad but A.S.H was not included. At the time they were in the middle of a run as the WWE Women’s Tag Team champions that would come to an end a few short days later.
A.S.H has had an interesting 2021, to say the least. The crowd favorite debuted a new character that was based on a superheroine that was met with skepticism. However, that boost saw her win the Money in the Bank ladder match in July. The next night she would cash in the briefcase to defeat Charlotte Flair and become the Raw Women’s Champion.
However, her booking after becoming champion would draw criticism as she would lose multiple televised matches over the course of her 33-day title run, leading to Flair winning the title back at SummerSlam. She and Ripley were booked into a tag team and would take the titles from Natalya and Tamina in September, but her booking would not improve after that point.
As with many other women on the WWE roster, there’s potential to create a strong character with Nikki A.S.H, even with the superhero gimmick. Unfortunately, WWE Creative does not seem too interested in booking compelling storylines throughout the women’s division, creating situations like this. When coupled with the multiple releases of women’s wrestlers, it’s understandable how performers on the roster could be frustrated or disappointed.